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NC State Speeds Past Mars Hill 109-66 in Exhibition

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7 years ago

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Sure, this game didn’t count. It was played against Mars Hill, a Division II team who has nowhere near ACC level talent. But that isn’t what tonight was about. Tonight was about observing, about learning what this Wolfpack team has and how they are going to use it.

Regardless of the opponent, what we witnessed tonight was impressive. It wasn’t the 109 points they scored or the fact that they won by 43. No. It was the fine details of tonight’s game that should have Pack fans very excited. The fact that NC State’s defense was constantly in the passing lanes. When they got beat, there was communication in the help and recover. They dove for loose balls, they deflected passes. They played insanely fast and with a true aggression. They drove to dish to create instead of driving to score.  In short, they played as a team who had something to prove.

What we saw tonight was what NC State fans have been asking for over the last 30 years. A group of selfless players who will lay it on the line to come away with the W. A group who takes pride in their performance and are accountable to one another.

Now for the stats.

Torin Dorn (yes, the guy we told you to watch out for) led the scoring with 19 points on 8-12 shooting. Al Freeman was right behind him with 18 points. He also added 8 boards. Then came the point guards. Johnson and Batts both played outstanding and both put up 16 points. However, it was Johnson who had the bigger night. His 16 points went along with 12 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks (all while only committing 2 turnovers). Batts added 3 assists and 2 steals. Omer Yurtseven had 12 and 5, Freeman had 7 and 10, while Sam Hunt had 11 of his own.

Most Impressive player: Markell Johnson. He really looked elite out there. Super quick, improved jumper and great job getting into the lane and finding the open guy. He looked like a leader on the court and even though Keatts has been tough on him in the media, he answered the call and should be one of the Pack’s top producers all season long.

Biggest surprise: Lavar Batts Jr.. I didnt really know what to expect from Batts. He’s new to the college game and I wondered how his jumper would translate. I was wrong to question. Batts ended with 16 pts and he had some really explosive plays down the stretch. His ability to go zero to full throttle is amazing. He is a selfless guard who is going to be a star in this league.

Key Stats: State forced 26 turnovers and scored 35 points off of those, That’s the stat that we think you should focus on. They were focused and aggressive on defense. This is a team that takes pride in that. This is the type of basketball that wins games. If they can continue to improve, this team will be much better than expected.

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NC State Basketball

NC State is Adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach

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2 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to reports, NC State is adding UMASS’ Brett Nelson as an Assistant Coach.

Nelson was only at UMASS for 1 season under Frank Martin. Prior to that, Nelson was the Head Coach at Holy Cross for 4 seasons, posting a 27-84 record.

Prior to taking the Head Coaching mantle at Holy Cross, Nelson was at Marquette for 5 seasons, spending the first 3 as an Assistant Coach, and the final two as an Associate Head Coach. Prior to Marquette, Nelson also served as an Assistant Coach at Ball St., Drake, Arkansas and Marshall.

Before coaching basketball, Nelson played for the University of Florida from 1999-2003. He was All-SEC twice, and earned Third Team All-American honors. When he left Gainesville, he was the Gators’ all-time leader in three pointers made, and ranked 2nd in steals.

As a Senior in High School, Nelson was a McDonald’s All-American.

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NC State Basketball

Ernest Ross Announces He is Returning to NC State

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Power Forward Ernest Ross announced this morning that he is returning to NC State for his final year of eligibility.

 

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Last Friday, Ross committed to UTSA after entering the Transfer Portal on April 17th, but it looks like he had a change of heart over the past couple of days.

NC State has been in desperate need to add a Big out of the Portal. They have hosted ECU’s Ezra Ausar and Georgia’s Frank Anselem-Ibe, but neither of them have found a home yet. With the addition of Ross, NC State has added depth in the Frontcourt, and unless something changes, their roster is full with 13 scholarship players.

Ross played in 14 games this past season, averaging 3.4 minutes per contest. After playing in 34 games last season, averaging 11.4 minutes per contest, Ross saw his participation dip to a career low this season, but that didn’t for a second break his infectious personality. On the sideline, you could count on Ross every single game to be the heart and soul of the Wolfpack on the bench. To watch a player who played as little as he did, care as much as he did, makes me super proud that this young man represented NC State so well.

Ross was a consensus 4-star player in NC State’s 2021 recruiting class, with 247Sports ranking him as the #60 overall player nationally. ESPN ranked him as the #5 overall player in the state of Florida.

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NC State Basketball

A Matchup Between NC State & Marquette Next Season Might be in the Works

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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According to NCAA.com’s Andy Katz, a matchup between NC State and Marquette next season might be in the works.

This past year, the Wolfpack defeated the Golden Eagles 67-58 in the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

NC State and Marquette have played one another 6 times overall, with the Wolfpack holding a 4-2 lead in the series, winning the past two matchups.

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NC State Men’s Basketball Will Play in the 2025 Maui Invitational

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4 days ago

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May 14, 2024

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The NC State Men’s Basketball Team will be playing in the 2025 Maui Invitational, on November 24-26 in Hawaii. This will mark the first time that NC State has ever played in the Maui Invitational.

NC State will be joined by Baylor, Oregon, Seton Hall, Texas, UNLV, USC and Chaminade.

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